Saba did not know he was in fray

New Delhi: Newly appointed national selector from the East Zone, Saba Karim, was pleasantly surprised and excited after he got the news from the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai, on Thursday.

"Frankly, I wasn't even aware that I was in contention for selector's post. Only a couple of days ago, did I start getting feelers about my name doing the rounds. I have just got official intimation from the Board," Karim said.

"Obviously, I am very happy and it's an honour that the BCCI has found me capable enough to take up this challenge," the former India wicketkeeper, who has played 34 ODIs apart from a Test match, added.

Karim, who has played first-class cricket for erstwhile Bihar and then for Bengal, pipped Trinamul Congress-backed former all-rounder Arup Bhattacharya and former Test opener Devang Gandhi to the post. "I think it will be a new challenge altogether as Indian cricket is set to embark on a new direction."